title: Scout view in pediatric CT neuroradiological evaluation: do not underestimate!
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Computed tomography (CT) is an important first-line imaging tool in pediatric neuroradiology. The scout view (SV) is essential for planning the CT study. It is frequently underestimated for its diagnostic value but may harbor important diagnostic clues. We present and discuss the role of SV in the accurate interpretation of pediatric neuroradiological CT studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  CT studies have been collected over 12 months by an experienced pediatric neuroradiologist. Retrospective evaluation of SV and axial CT images was performed in nine children, where the SV gave important diagnostic information. Abnormalities on SV were classified as (1) located outside the field of view as imaged by the cross-sectional CT slices or (2) located in the plane of the cross-sectional CT slices or orthogonal to it.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five male and four female patients were included. The mean age at CT was 9.86 years (range, 0.75 to 19 years). Abnormalities on SV were located outside of the field of view as imaged by cross-sectional CT slices in six out of nine children and were within the plane of the CT slices or orthogonal to it in three out of nine children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A thorough and accurate evaluation of the SV may add valuable, clinically relevant information and should be a routine part of the interpretation of each pediatric neuroradiological CT study.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pediatric Neuroradiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Gunes
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orman
authors.forename: Thangamadhan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bosemani
authors.forename: Aylin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tekes
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poretti
authors.forename: Thierry A G M
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Huisman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*